Two engines are offered in the Continental for 2023, though both send power to all-four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Continental V8 is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged unit making 542 horsepower, enough to sling the coupe to 60 mph in a claimed 3.9 seconds. Bentley claims a top speed of 198 mph with the V8. For those wanting more performance, 6.0L turbocharged 12-cylinder engine is also offered, making 650 horsepower, allowing the Continental GT to reach a claimed top speed of 207 mph. Both engines are available in the Coupe or the convertible and being a grand tourer, Bentley have equipped the Continental with a very large gas tank. Owners of the V8 coupe should be able to go more than 500 miles between trips to the gas station while cruising on the highway.
The Bentley Continental comes in six distinct trims for both the convertible and coupe version: Base, S, Azure, Mulliner V8, Mulliner V12, and Speed.
The base V8 and W12 trim come standard with many of the same features and equipment. The ultra-luxury SUV comes with heated front and rear leather seating, Alcantara headliner, power folding heated mirrors with tilt function, leather steering wheel and remote keyless entry with push button start. The Continental's infotainment system comes stocked with 12.3-inch touchscreen, 650-watt 10-speaker sound system, satellite radio, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay.
The Speed trim adds many more premium features to the line-up. Speed Continentals come standard with 22-inch wheels, an active suspension with an active anti-roll system, and sport pedals.
Prospective buyers shopping for a new Bentley are treated to an incredible wealth of options to make their car feel bespoke, unique and personalized. The Continental is no exception with a huge number of color, wheel, interior and trim options. For instance, while most cars are available in two or three shades of silver, there are no fewer than thirteen different silvers available on the Continental.
The customization just goes on from there. Buyers are treated with a selection of wheels ranging from 20-inches, up to 22-inches in a variety of silver and black styles. Interior leather is two tone by default with around fourteen different colors available. Of course, exactly how the cockpit is divided up between those two colors is up to the customer; they can pick one of five different options. Nine different veneers are offered for the dashboard and surrounding interior, including walnut, carbon fiber, eucalyptus and ash options, while contrasting stitching on the seats can also be ordered in several different styles.
There are of course, plenty of option packages. A Touring Specification adds lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, night vision and a heads-up display. City Specification comes with a top view camera, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian warning, a hands-free trunk, auto dimming mirrors and a reversing traffic warning system. Mood Lighting Specification adds extended interior lighting, while a Front Seat Specification package adds fancier seats with chrome bezels and a massager. Stereo options include a Bang & Olufsen sound system that comes with sixteen speakers and 1500 watts of power, though true hi-fi nerds will instead spring for the Naim sound system with twenty speakers, a twenty channel amplifier and 2200 watts.
Luxurious Interior
Aggressive Yet Beautiful Styling
Powerful Engines
Bentley Nameplate
Available As A Coupe Or A Convertible
The Continental returns for 2023 with a new trim lineup.
Bentley is generally regarded as an "ultra-luxury" brand, with prices befitting such a title. The Continental fits right in with this description, as it endeavors to give buyers the best of everything with as few compromises as possible. The Continental competes directly with the industry's major luxury brands such as Mercedes Benz, Porsche, and BMW.
None of those brands offer anywhere near the kind of exclusivity that comes with the Bentley nameplate. But the Continental offers plenty of merits beyond that as well. Few cars can match the Continental's blend of comfort and speed, while the styling inside and out offers buyers something much more beautiful than any of its rivals.
